AVEVA PDMS

Accurate and clash-free 3D plant design

With ever increasing global demand for products from process and
power plants, AVEVA PDMS enables companies to design, construct
and maintain high quality plants quickly and efficiently.
Using PDMS, the logical model of a plant can be quickly and efficiently
modelled into a full 3D design layout, where suitability and fit can all be tested
in a virtual world, and the list of materials needed to construct the plant
generated automatically.

Business Benefits
Reduced site rework

z Higher quality design. The

ability to perform multiple

design checks across the
entire design eliminates errors,
and enables right-first-time
engineering.

PDMS enables teams of designers from a range of different disciplines to work

concurrently to develop a complete digital model of a process or power plant.
Each discipline works within its own specialist 3D environment, but is still able
to view all of the design work taking place around them.

z Accurate materials information

An extensive catalogue of predefined parametric components and objects can

be quickly selected and positioned within the model, and then automatically
checked for clashes and integrity using configurable rules. Changes made as
the design evolves are highlighted and tracked, making it easier to identify,
manage and communicate the changes across the different disciplines. The
end result is a more accurate, better quality design that helps avoid costly onsite rework.

More effective use of globally

dispersed design teams

eliminates over-ordering
and delays on site due to a
lack of required materials or
information.

z PDMS, combined with AVEVA

Global, allows geographically

separate design teams to
work together as though they
were in a single office. The
environment delivers high
performance for the designer,
centralised administration and
control, and protection from
communication limitations or
failures.

z Effective use can be made of

design capability, wherever
it exists. Project teams can
be quickly assembled and
mobilised.

Maximised project quality

z 3D multi-discipline working
environment improves
communication between
teams and facilitates rightfirst-time design.

z Clash checking and integrity

checking ensure higher quality

designs and less rework.

z Database-driven drawing

AVEVA PDMS can design every detail even on the worlds largest projects

www.aveva.com

production achieves
consistency between
drawings, reports and design
data.

Business Benefits

Overview

Minimised schedule times

Working with PDMS, engineers and

designers can achieve very high levels of
productivity on all types of plant project,
from the smallest plant upgrade project
to new-build projects of unlimited size
and complexity. PDMS users range from
small engineering contractors to many of
the worlds largest multinational process
and power companies.

z Reduced site work,

concurrent multi-location
engineering, higher design
efficiency and higher quality
all combine to reduce
schedule time.
z Greater ability to react quickly
to major project changes,
including the capability to
change the project structure
during execution and to
dynamically add in new
locations or remove existing
ones, all protect the project
schedule.

PDMS is highly configurable and

customisable to fit the working practices
of the organisation where it is being
deployed. It can be easily adapted to
integrate with existing work processes,
but can also help drive business process
change within an organisation to
improve competitiveness.

As projects are increasingly executed

globally, PDMS, combined with AVEVA
Global, delivers powerful work-share
functionality. This enables complex,
multi-site collaborative projects to be
executed using a virtual design office.
Projects can utilise PDMS resources
wherever they are located in the world,
and smaller EPCs can contribute to large
projects as part of a global team.

Key Features
z PDMS provides a fully interactive,
easy-to-use 3D environment for every
designer on the project.
z As the designers work with their
specialist functions, they have visibility
of the entire design at all times.
To create their part of the design
they place instances of parametric
components from a catalogue
(under the control of engineering
specifications) and, in doing so,
construct a highly intelligent PDMS
database.
z Clash checking and configurable
integrity checking rules identify errors
and inconsistencies across the design.
z Conventional issue, revision, and
change-control processes can all be
applied without introducing a large
overhead or delays in projects which
can have many hundred users.

Design and Modification is quick and easy

even for the novice user

z Advanced 3D editing features with

graphical handles and numeric
feedback make design and modification
quick and easy.
z Built-in intelligence, combined with
configurable rules and associations,
ensures that designers are highly
productive during all design and
modification activities.
z Design and component information
from earlier PDMS projects can be
reused or shared across multiple
projects. Utilities to change pipe size or
specification enable rapid modification
to adjust to new project conditions.
z The standard PDMS application can be
customised to fit individual industry or
project requirements, or to add further
design rules or automation into the
design process.
z Undo and Redo facilities are widely
available. Whole or part projects can be
rewound to any previous state.

An example of association rules

A typical AVEVAPDMS Equipment model

Equipment
z The Equipment functions build 3D models for all kinds of plant
items, from pumps and exchangers through to complex items
such as reactor vessels and compressors. They are used in all
kinds of layout studies, arrangement drawings and connectivity
or clash checks.
z Multiple graphical representations are available, so that spaces
required for key maintenance activities can be visualised and
clash checked during layout and design.

An equipment template

z To create an equipment item in the design, the relevant template

is selected and the required parameters are defined.
z Equipment templates allow complex parameterised design
configurations to be defined so that they can be quickly and
easily reused, even across multiple projects.
z Equipment items include intelligent connection points, with
relevant attributes, for the connection of associated piping,
ducting, instrument and electrical systems.

Key Features (continued)

Piping
z The Piping functions build a fully detailed model of all piping
systems, based on component catalogues and engineering
specifications. From the piping model, Piping General
Arrangement drawings, isometric drawings and bills of
quantity are produced.
z A full range of automatically generated piping isometrics
is available, from complete system isometrics, through to
fabrication and erection isometrics and individual spool
isometrics. An enormous number of options are available
to fit any given industry, national, company or project
requirement.
z PDMS manages and integrates all stages of the piping
workflow from initial conceptual routing at the beginning
of a project, through basic and detailed design and on to
individual pipe spooling at the fabricator.
z PDMS piping integrates with AVEVA Multi-Discipline
Supports for the detail design of pipe supports, and with
specialist pipe stress applications, via the AVEVA Pipe Stress
Interface. Custom interfaces to flow calculation systems,
wall thickness calculation and other software can easily be
created.

Piping isometrics with full MTO are produced automatically

z The Automated pipe routing function allows a preliminary

route and MTO to be created very quickly. The routing
includes an automatic selection of required items such as
gaskets and flanges.
z The Quick pipe routing function enables the user to define
the route of a pipe by using the mouse pointer to specify
changes in direction, either in absolute terms, or relative
to other model features. The route can be orthogonal or
non-orthogonal and sloping pipes are fully supported.
Components can be positioned explicitly or using feature
snapping. The route can be completed automatically where
completion is predictable.
z Sophisticated modification capabilities are available at each
stage to allow the piping design to be further developed.
These include highly interactive graphical editing functions,
together with functions to apply specification and pipe bore
changes across the line, and to define and modify slopes.

Quick pipe routing

Regularly used pipe assemblies can be stored and re-used throughout the design

HVAC and Ducting

z Piping assemblies such as vents, drains or control sets can be
added to the design as an entity. Existing configurations can be
saved as assemblies and reused elsewhere.
z All drawings, including Piping General Arrangements and
isometrics, have associative dimensions and intelligent
annotations, and can therefore be updated automatically in line
with design changes.
z Accurate MTO information can be generated on each sheet or
drawing, or via separate reports for any system, line, area, and so
on.
z As the design reaches fabrication, the PDMS spooling
functionality manages the creation of individual spool isos,
including the creation of fully intelligent weld items in the model
database, which can be maintained across multiple revision
cycles.

Ducting design and spool drawing

z PDMS provides a specialist function for the design of all types of

ducting.
z The function uses an engineering specification to select
parametric components from a catalogue allowing a full 3D
model to be built.
z A Fill command automatically fills the straight parts of the route
with the appropriate number of straight lengths.
z In-line equipment such as dampers, vanes, diffusers and hoods
can all be included.
z The ducting model can be split into spool parts for manufacture
and pre-assembly and automatic spool and isometric drawings
can be automatically produced.
z PDMS integrates with AVEVA Multi-Discipline Supports for the
design of ducting supports.

Key Features (continued)

Structural and Architectural
z PDMS contains a number of specialist functions for the
design of steel and concrete structures found in typical
process and power plants. A wide range of layout/
arrangement and detail component drawings can be
produced, together with accurate weight and MTO
information.
z The Beams and Columns function defines and maintains a
fully connected nodal network of structural sections including
all joint and fitting details. A simple regular structure can be
created in a single step. The nodal network, coupled with the
ability to define loads in the model, supports integration with
analysis software.
z Standard bracing configurations are available and can be
customised as required.
z Curved, tapered and built-up beams are all available.
z The Panels and Plates function defines and maintains flat
panels of any shape.
z The Walls and Floors function enables designers to define
and maintain walls and floors of standard shapes.
z Fittings can be added to all types of beams, plates, walls,
floors and so on, to apply items such as doors, windows,
intelligent piping penetrations, stiffeners, lifting lugs and fireproofing.

Regular structures can be designed from a single input form

z Access Platforms, Stairs, Ladders can all be included in the

3D model.
z Intelligent, parametric penetrations can be defined (together
with full details such as kick plates), and connected to the
structure and the penetrating item (for example, pipe or duct)
so that alignment and other checks can be carried out.
z Structural modelling makes extensive use of parameterised
catalogues for components such as section profiles, joints,
and fittings. These catalogues can be added to by the user to
suit particular project or other requirements.
z Profile catalogues cover the leading international and
national profile standards, including angles, channels and
I-beams.
z Joint catalogues contain standard types of joints including
cleats, end plates and sniped end preparations. Joint
definitions are parameterised so that, if a section related to a
joint is resized, the joint can be resized automatically.
z Fitting catalogues contain a selection of parameterised
structural and industrial fittings including lifting lugs,
stiffeners, windows and doors.
z A range of interfacing options is available to link to specialist
analysis software and specialist structural fabrication
systems.

Electrical and Instrumentation

Catalogues and Specifications

z PDMS allows all electrical and instrument items, including

electrical cabinets, transformers and switchgear, to be located
in the 3D model for the purposes of plant layout, visualisation,
clash checking and production of arrangement drawings.

z An extensive set of catalogues covering industry, national and

international standards is available, including piping, structural
steel, ducting, hangers, supports and cable trays.

z Electrical and off-line Instrument 3D items can be created from

parameterised templates.
z Valves and in-line instruments are selected from catalogues via
engineering specifications, and the workflow is fully integrated
with piping design, enabling such items to be detailed, for
example on piping isometrics, as required.
z The PDMS cable tray function selects components from a
catalogue via an engineering specification and creates the
complete cable tray layout. A Fill command automatically fills
the straight parts of the route with the appropriate number of
straight lengths.
z Cable Tray drawings can be generated for manufacturing
purposes.

z Each catalogue provides the parametric definition of all

components in the required size ranges, ratings and types. So,
for piping component connection types, physical and nominal
size, material codes and bolt requirements are all stored.
z Engineering specifications control the way in which components
from the catalogues may be used in the design.
z Standard catalogues can be defined once and shared across
multiple projects.
z New catalogue items, for instance for project specials, can easily
be created by the user.
z Controlled changes to component and specifications are quick
and easy and there are many functions to manage, control and
apply such changes across the design.

z PDMS integrates with AVEVA Cable Design, AVEVA Electrical

and AVEVA Instrumentation for routing electrical and
instrument cables in the design, and integrates with AVEVA
Multi-Discipline Supports for the design of cable tray supports.

Drawings and Reports

z All drawings are produced directly from the PDMS database.
The annotation and dimensions on these drawings are also
generated directly from the database, ensuring high levels of
consistency between documents and design.
z Updates to drawings automatically include the latest design
changes. Automatic change highlighting can be used to clearly
show changes compared to the previous version.
z Drawings are available in AutoCAD- and MicroStation-compatible
formats.
z Flexible reporting capabilities enable all types of reports and
schedules, such as valve or nozzle schedules, to be produced
direct from the PDMS database; these can be produced in CSV or
other formats.
z Accurate MTO information is available across all disciplines by
item, unit, area and so on.
z Reporting options include surface area, weight and centre of
gravity.

Adding or modifying catalogue components is a simple, straightforward activity

Management and Control

z PDMS is designed to support large teams of designers working
together in a controlled and managed way. It has sophisticated
and highly configurable access and change control tools to allow
the system to be tailored for an enormous variety of engineering
work practices and project situations.
z Work breakdown structures can be changed in line with the
evolving project needs, for example, to adapt to changes when
construction contracts are awarded.
z With the use of AVEVA Global, the standard PDMS capabilities
can be extended to manage a PDMS project across
geographically separate locations.

Key Features (continued)

Mechanical Equipment Models can be imported into PDMS using specialised

interfaces

Customisation and Configuration

z There is a customisable graphical user interface, and
powerful object-oriented macro language for customising
the operation of the system to fit the needs of any particular
project, industry or workflow, to add custom automation
functions or to create interfaces with in-house or third-party
applications.
PDMS 3D model visualised in AVEVA Review

Courtesy of Paks Nuclear

Power Plant

Localisation
z PDMS supports Unicode throughout so that an extensive
range of international character sets can be used for data,
catalogues, drawings, reports and user interfaces, including
many multi-byte (Asian) and single-byte (European) character
sets.
z Feet/inches and metric units are available throughout.

Integration and Interfacing

z An open programming environment allows customers to

develop their own applications on top of the standard PDMS.
The .NET technology means that these applications can be
written in any compatible .NET language, such as C or C++,
as well as in PDMSs programmable macro language (PML).

Integration with AVEVA Engineer products

z AVEVAs Engineer products create schematics, diagrams,
datasheets, engineering lists and indexes. PDMS integrates
with all the products within this category including AVEVA
Diagrams, AVEVA P&ID, AVEVA Engineering, AVEVA
Electrical, AVEVA Instrumentation and AVEVA Schematic 3D
Integrator.

z PDMS is fully compatible with AVEVA E3D and the two

products can be used together on the same project data at
the same time.
z PDMS integrates with AVEVA Bocad for structural design
detailing and fabrication.
z A variety of interfaces to analysis systems (eg for pipe and
structural stress) & third party design systems (eg for import
of mechanical equipment models) are available.
z A wide variety of data exchange formats is supported,
including DWG, DXF, DGN, SDNF, CSV.
Adding AVEVA Schematic 3D Integrator to PDMS allows P&ID/3D comparison

AVEVA PDMS is one of AVEVAs

Design products, which create 3D
models for detailed design and
produce all associated deliverables

AVEVA Worldwide Offices | www.aveva.com/offices

AVEVAbelieves the information in this publication is correct as of its publication date. As part of continued
product development, such information is subject to change without prior notice and is related to the current
software release. AVEVAis not responsible for any inadvertent errors. All product names mentioned are the
trademarks of their respective holders.
Copyright 2013 AVEVASolutions Limited and its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. APDMS/DS/13/B.

Information in this datasheet relates to product version 12.1 unless otherwise stated.

Tel +44 (0)1223 556655 | Fax +44 (0)1223 556666 | www.aveva.com/contact